Massive Indonesia quake, tsunami alert lifted

A massive 8.6-magnitude earthquake and strong aftershocks struck off Indonesia on Wednesday, sending people as far away as southern India scurrying from buildings and raising fears of a disastrous tsunami as in 2004.

The first quake struck at 0838 GMT and an 8.2-magnitude aftershock just over two hours later, at 1043 GMT. Two more strong aftershocks hit later.

The 8.6-magnitude quake struck 431 kilometers (268 miles) off the Indonesian city of Banda Aceh, the US Geological Survey said.

Terrified residents poured into the streets of Banda Aceh, which was devastated by a 9.1-magnitude quake in 2004 that triggered an Indian Ocean tsunami, killing 220,000 people including 170,000 in Aceh province.

The latest tremor was felt as far afield as Thailand, where skyscrapers in the capital Bangkok swayed. India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar all issued alerts or evacuation orders.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono downplayed the threat of a tsunami and said so far there had been no reports of major damage or casualties, but that the country remained on alert.

US monitors who issued the tsunami watch said it appeared to have only generated small waves.